Everyone seems to agree this is the most charming (and commercially viable!) musical yet to come from these collaborators.

For those who need a reminder: “It Takes A Rainbow” is a simple show for a younger group. The cur­tain rises on a vil­lage of brown lizards who are safe and warm at home, “Where All is Brown.” Sev­eral lizards decide to explore the out­side world, where they find red frogs (“When You’re Seein’ Red”), orange and yel­low frogs (“Cit­rine Samba”) and so on. One by one the lizards change color. They learn that dif­fer­ence is noth­ing to fear. They return home to teach the king and queen that “It Takes A Rainbow.”

It’s a great lit­tle show, about 45 min­utes long, and was a big hit with stu­dents, teach­ers, and par­ents. The stag­ing, while sim­ple, was exceed­ingly effec­tive, espe­cially the cos­tumes!

Here are sev­eral pic­tures from the new production. Click the image (within your browser) to enlarge.

Always a big crowd for the Thompson/Russell productions!

Queen Wamvua explains the world beyond the bonny brown bog.

…turning…RED!

The little brown lizards cast off in seek of new colors!

Searching high! Searching low!

King Upinde and Queen Wamvua are transformed: It takes a rainbow!

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Emily and I are very proud of this show, feeling it may be our strongest work yet. In the show, Cupid has frustrated the gods of Mount Olympus with his misbehavior. Zeus sends Cupid to a middle school –without his bow and arrow–to mix with the mortals. Cupid is joined by the messengers Hermes and Iris. Along the way Cupid meets Iris, battles Flint, and starts to learn the true meaning of love.

Here are sev­eral pics from the evening — click the pic­ture for a larger view.

The gods of Mount Olympus

Zeus

Athena & Hera

Cupid and Enid

Flint and the Fluries

Flint eggs on Rumer & Raven

Iris, Cupis, Hermes, & Flint

The post Premiere of “Cupid’s Bow” — a children’s musical appeared first on Richard D. Russell.